An up to date, ENB compatible guide focused on improving Oblivion's visuals without drastically altering anything from its original appearance. This guide assumes that the user has Shivering Isles and KOTN installed, anyone that doesn't can just skip over the DLC related mods though. Oblivion Reloaded isn't included, but given its popularity I'm going to mention which mods to ignore if you want to use it with this modlist. Any mid to high range pc should be able to get very good performance using this guide. CPU matters most for Oblivion and using an i5 4670k @ 4.0 Ghz I generally get a solid 60 fps at 1440p. For the best results this is meant to be followed from top to bottom, though you can skip over any mods you don't like or replace them with an alternative if you want. If a mod adds or changes something you don't need, like a mod adding controller functionality when you use keyboard and mouse, then you obviously don't have to install it.

Feel free to use the mod manager of your choice while going through the guide, but I'm going to assume that the user is installing everything manually and will only mention using a mod manager when it's necessary. Before starting, it's a good idea to install the game outside of the Program Files folder so you don't have to deal with any UAC issues. As you follow the guide, unless I say otherwise you should just download the main file and extract the mod to the appropriate directory, overwriting anything that was already there. Any optional files or updates you download should be installed after the main file. 7-Zip is a good program for dealing with zip files if you don't already have one. You can load up your game at pretty much any point in the guide to see how things look, just do the first 3 steps in the Bashed Patch section first. The 3rd step involving BSA Redirection only needs to be done once, but the others should be repeated if your load order changes.

Download "Wrye Bash 306 Standalone Executable" near the bottom of the page and extract the Mopy folder to your main Oblivion directory. When you open Wrye Bash for the first time, right-click the top bar and uncheck "Lock Load Order".

Oblivion Reloaded's predecessor. Obviously you want to skip this one if you are using Oblivion Reloaded. We'll be downloading the core-retro version and using it solely for better quality water reflections.

Download "OBGE Core - Retro 3-0-0" from the old files and extract only the OBGEv2.dll to your OBSE\Plugins folder. Run the game once to create an OBGE.ini in your Documents\My Games\Oblivion folder which we'll configure later on.

Prevents or mitigates a number of issues related to stuttering and framerates, and can reduce the frequency of stutter related crashes.

Download "OSR_4-1-37" and extract the Data file to your Oblivion directory. Open the sr_Oblivion_Stutter_Remover.ini and make the following changes: bReplaceHeap = 1, fMaximumFPS = 60, iHeapAlgorithm = 3, iHeapSize = 768. You can change max fps to anything below 60 if you want.

User Interface

Download the optional 7z archive and extract the fonts, menus, meshes and textures to Oblivion\Data. If you want to get rid of quest journal entry popups then look in the custom_files folder, extract the "empty.xml" and rename it to "quest_added.xml" then move it to Oblivion\Menus\generic and overwrite the original file. You can find the configuration file for DarN at "menus\prefabs\darn\hudmainmenu_config.xml". You may want to try turning the compass frame off to make the HUD a little cleaner. There are some required font changes that have to be made in Oblivion.ini after installing, otherwise your font will look messed up. We'll take care of that in the INI Tweaks section below.

This mod colorizes the local map similar to using the ini edit bLocalMapShader=0, but it lets the background shine through for unexplored/inaccessible areas and still has a bit of the vanilla "hand drawn map" appearance.

This is the first of a few mods that you need to install with a mod manager. Personally, I found Oblivion mod manager to be the easiest one to work with. Here's a tutorial if you need some help using it. Select "No" for the DarkUIified map background option.

Remove unwanted spells by pressing the delete key. Unlike other spell deletion mods, instead of just hiding your removed spell this one renames it as well, which lets you reuse the original name if it was a spell you made yourself or lets you repurchase the spell if it was one that you bought from a merchant.

With this mod, you can auto-confirm the quantity prompt ("How many?") and confirmation prompt that you get when an item or spell is transacted (moving/buying/selling/dropping). The end result being that your shopping trips go by much, much faster than they did before.

Download and extract the "01 Main" folder to Oblivion\Data. In the TQP.ini, I changed "set aveTQP.iDefaultAction" to 1 so that one item will be auto-confirmed when I click, but you can set it up as you wish. The ini has details on the different settings.

Makes the navigation and control of Oblivion's user interface a lot more intuitive when using a controller, similar to how Oblivion runs on the Xbox 360 version. See here for details on how the mod works.

Open the main file archive and extract the contents of the "[00 DarN]" folder to your Oblivion\Data directory.

INI Tweaks

You can find your ini files in "Documents\My Games\Oblivion".

Oblivion.ini

[General]uGridDistantTreeRange=25

More distant trees for better visuals, lowers fps slightly.

[General]SMainMenuMovie=
SMainMenuMovieIntro=
SIntroSequence=

Disables intro videos.

[Display]fLightLOD2=6000fLightLOD1=4000

See light sources from further away, no noticeable fps cost.

[Display]iShadowMapResolution=1024

Better looking shadows, no noticeable fps cost.

[Display]bAllow30Shaders=1

This tweak is only needed by ENB users. Open RendererInfo.txt in your Oblivion.ini directory and find the line that says "3.0 Shaders". If it says yes next to it, then you should use this tweak. If it says no then leave it as is, note that you may experience some minor visual glitches if you use an ENB though.

[Controls]bUse Joystick=0

Prevents some issues if you're using a controller with Oblivion.

[Water]bUseWaterReflectionsTrees=1

Better water reflections, no noticeable fps loss.

[Interface]fDlgFocus=3.0000

Less zoomed-in camera when talking to NPCs.

[GamePlay]bSaveOnInteriorExteriorSwitch=0

No autosave when entering a new area, prevents corrupted savegames and crash to desktop.

Base Texture Packs

Improved normal maps for better visuals on nearly everything in the game.

Download and extract all three files. Either exclude or delete the normal maps from "Oblivion\Data\Textures\trees\branches" as they can cause flickering tree trunks. If you are planning to use OOO Shivering Isles, then you should also exclude/delete the "weapons" and "armor" files from the "RTNM Shivering Isles Fixed" archive as they can cause visual issues with Dark Seducer/Golden Saint armor.

Architecture, Dungeons & Landscape

Another HD Arena mod that deviates further away from vanilla Oblivion with its visuals. I only use the new mesh and textures for the Basin of Renewal, which Arena HD didn't change.

Download and extract the following mesh and textures from the main file, then add them to the appropriate directories: "01 UOP Patch [Optional]\meshes\architecture\arena\bloodworkscistern01.nif" The textures from "00 Core [2K]\textures\architecture\arena" that begin with "bloodwork" or "circularfloor" - 8 in total The textures from "00 Core [2K]\textures\architecture\arena\ArenaRedone\bloodworks" that begin with "cistern" - also 8 in total

Download the main file, the update, and the Shivering Isles optional file. Install all three with Oblivion mod manager. Install the update after the other downloads and OBMM will keep asking you if you want to overwrite files, hold CTRL and click "yes" to get through the prompts. After installing this you may still get flickering blood textures on the ground. If you do and it bothers you enough to want to fix it, you can either delete Textures\landscape\default.dds & Textures\landscape\default_n.dds or disable blood decals in your Oblivion.ini (fDecalLifetime=0.0000, iMaxDecalsPerFrame=0).

Download and extract the Parallax main file to the appropriate directory. Exclude/delete the following meshes from "Meshes\Dungeons\AyleidRuins\Exterior": arbridge01.nif, arbridge02.nif, arbridge03.nif, arbridge04.nif

Better LOD billboards for trees, and the option to make all trees/shrubs and their shadows 25-50% larger. My screenshots and videos were made using the 150% plugin and I definitely recommend using that one even though it can cause some minor visual issues.

Download only the "Enhanced Vegetation - Plugins v1dot1" main file and extract the esp of your choice from the "timescale 30" folder.

Weapons, Armor & Clothing

Download all three main files and the optional file and extract the two "2x clothes" main files to the appropriate directory followed by the "mesh corrections" main file and the "2x clothes alpha patch" optional file.

You don't need the esp. Download and extract all of the meshes/textures except for the following to the appropriate directories: Exclude/delete "Meshes\Weapons\Ebony\Dagger.nif" Exclude/delete all of the meshes from "Meshes\Weapons\Iron" NOT ending with "Rusty" or "Fine" - 7 total Exclude/delete the "Meshes\Weapons\Steel" folder

Improves vanilla weather and adds birds and insects to the environment.

Download and extract the following files to Oblivion\Data: the "Meshes" and "Sound" folders Natural_Habitat_by_Max_Tael.esp "NaturalEnvironments" and "Sky" from the Textures folder, make sure not to install the menu folders

High resolution textures. The optional file should already be included in the USIP.

Download the main file and extract the following textures to the appropriate directory: the "textures\architecture" folder the "textures\clutter\castleinterior" folder and the "textures\clutter\mageguild" folder exclude/delete the lower/middle/upperclass folders and the sefurniture folder

Removes annoying comments that merchants make after an item is bought/sold. This mod and Toggleable Quantity Prompt go together like peanut butter and jelly since TQP lets you buy/sell much faster than you could before.

We're going to Russia for this one, click the big Download button for the main file and then click the orange text underneath it for the update. Extract the main file then the update to your Oblivion directory.

Distant Landscape & AWLS

The 2nd and 3rd mods in this section add lots of distant objects to the game resulting in much better visuals and a greater sense of immersion, but also resulting in the biggest fps hit in the entire guide. If you're having performance issues already then you may want to just get Koldorn's LOD Noise Replacer and AWLS.

Download both main files and from the optional files download: "RAEVWD QTP3 Texture Pack by Brumbek" and "RAEVWD SI Bomret Textures". First, from the "RAEVWD" main file, extract the following files to the appropriate directories: the "00 Core" folder "03 City Architecture\Meshes\Architecture\Anvil\anvillighthouse01_far.nif" & "AnvilLightHouseBaseEntrance_far.NIF" the 4 meshes from "03 City Architecture\Meshes\Architecture\cathedral", ignore the crypt folder the "05 Wilderness Architecture\Meshes\Architecture\farmhouse" and "05 Wilderness Architecture\Meshes\Architecture\lowerclass" folders and "06 Ayleid Ruins\Meshes\dungeons\ayleidruins\exterior\arstatue01_far.nif"

Then from the "RAEVWD SI Edition" main file, extract: the "00 Core" folder the "06 Mushroom Trees" folder

After installing, if the windows on Sheogorath's Palace look like they're flickering while standing far away you can download this file and extract the "textures\lowres\architecture\palace" folder to fix it.

Bashed Patch

First, sort your load order using BOSS.exe

Next, open Wrye Bash.exe and put a checkmark next to every mod so that they're all active

Click the "Installers" tab on the top bar, select "No" if you don't know/care what it is, and then right-click the left pane. Click "BSA Redirection" to uncheck it, then right-click and select it again to put the check back

Back on the "Mods" tab, right-click on the Bashed Patch and select the top Rebuild Patch option, click OK to deactivate the mods when prompted

Under Tweak Actors put a check next to "Irresponsible Creatures" so that animals can't call the cops on you

Build Patch, and once it's finished make sure that the Bashed Patch is checked/active before closing Wrye Bash

TES4LODGen

Run TES4LODGen.exe

From "Data\DistantLOD", take "Tamriel_0_15.lod", "Tamriel_-1_15.lod", "Tamriel_2_11.lod", "Tamriel_3_10.lod", and "Tamriel_3_11.lod", and move them somewhere for safekeeping. Then delete all the remaining files in your DistantLOD folder

Move the "FarmHouse" and "LowerClass" folders from "Oblivion\Data\Meshes\Architecture", and put them with the lod files. Make sure that they're out of your Meshes folder

Run TES4LODGen.exe again, and when it finishes put the meshes and lod files that you set aside back where you got them from, overwriting the files that are there

tes4ll

First we'll run the program for Cyrodiil:

Run mpgui.exe, go to File->Open Batch... and select "Oblivion\Data\ini\tes4ll\tes4ll_all.mpb"

Click the "Plugins" tab, and then click the Plugins.txt box on the top-left

Next the "Worldspace" tab, click on Read Worldspaces

On "LOD Meshes", change Mid Resolution to Ultimate Resolution

For "Normal Maps", put a check next to "Make normal maps", then put a check next to "Fake shadows"

On the "Color Maps" tab, put a check next to "Regenerate texture cache" and "Make color maps"

Finally, go to "Start Process" and put a check next to "Overwrite the original files". Then click the "Click me if you are ready" bar

Before starting the next step, download this esp made by Pherim. Put it in your Oblivion\Data folder and make sure not to activate it in Wrye Bash or anything. Now we'll run tes4ll for the Shivering Isles:

Run mpgui.exe, go to File->Open Batch... and select "Oblivion\Data\ini\tes4ll\tes4ll_all.mpb"

Click the "Plugins" tab, and then click the Plugins.txt box on the top-left. After that, put a check next to the new "SI_HM_fix.esp"

Next the "Worldspace" tab, click on Read Worldspaces and then select: SEWorld "Realm of Sheogorath" [0009F18] from 'Oblivion.esm'

On "LOD Meshes", change Mid Resolution to Ultimate Resolution

For "Normal Maps", put a check next to "Make normal maps", then put a check next to "Fake shadows"

On the "Color Maps" tab, put a check next to "Regenerate texture cache" and "Make color maps"

Finally, go to "Start Process" and put a check next to "Overwrite the original files". Then click the "Click me if you are ready" bar

Once tes4ll is finished, close the program and delete the "SI_HM_fix.esp" from Oblivion\Data

The End

If you aren't going to be using an ENB, you should enable hardware anti-aliasing and anisotropic filtering. I'd suggest 2xMSAA and 8xAF for the settings.

Set your Oblivion.ini to read-only once you're done with the guide, so that the Oblivion launcher doesn't overwrite any of your settings in the future.

Whenever your Graphics Card receives a driver update you'll start getting a popup saying "Oblivion will now detect your video hardware and set video options accordingly". This won't affect your ini file if you have it set to read-only, but it is kind of annoying to see every time you start the game up. If you want to "fix" this you can remove your Oblivion.ini and set it on your desktop or in another folder, then start Oblivion up and let it create a new Oblivion.ini. Close the game and take the 4 "uVideoDeviceIdentifierPart" settings under Display from the new ini and copy them to your old ini, overwriting the values that you have there, then set your Oblivion.ini back to read-only and put it back where you got it from, overwriting that new ini file that the game made. This will remove the popup until the next time your Graphics Card gets an update, then you have to do it all over again. Like I said, if you have your Oblivion.ini set to read-only the popup won't affect anything so you only need to do this if the popup is bugging you enough to go through the trouble of making these changes.

Cinematic ENB

If you'd like to use the same ENB that I show off in the screenshots and videos, you can download Cinematic ENB for Oblivion - New Dimension from here. Just follow the installation instructions, and make sure to disable letterbox.

To enable SMAA follow the instructions here. You'll want to replace "Skyrim" for "Oblivion" obviously. Set "weird_steam_hack" to 1 in the injector.ini file, and I'd also suggest setting the quality to ULTRA since I didn't notice a performance hit from doing so.

You can download my enbseries.ini, which includes other tweaks, and my other ini files from the guide's Nexus page. You can just overwrite your enbseries.ini with mine if you wish to use my settings. To be safe don't do this with any of the other inis, they're just there as a reference.